SECTION LXXX

“Sanjaya said, ’Kunti’s son, Dhananjaya, of inconceivable prowess thinking of how to accomplish his vow, recollected the mantras (given to him by Vyasa).  And soon he was lulled in the arms of sleep.  Unto that ape-bannered hero, burning with grief and immersed in thought Kesava, having Garuda on his banner, appeared in a dream.  Dhananjaya of righteous soul, inconsequence of his love and veneration for Kesava, never omitted under any circumstances to stand up and advance a few steps for receiving Krishna.  Rising up, therefore, now (in his dream), he gave unto Govinda a seat.  He himself, however, at that time, did not set his heart upon taking his seat.  Then Krishna, of mighty energy, knowing the resolution of Partha, said, while seated, unto the son of Kunti, these words while the latter was standing:  ’Do not set thy heart, O Partha, on grief.  Time is unconquerable.  Time forceth all creatures into the inevitable course.  O foremost of men what for is this grief of thine?  Grief should not be indulged in, O foremost of learned persons!  Grief is an impediment to action.  Accomplish that act which should be accomplished.  The grief that maketh a person forgo all efforts is, indeed, O Dhananjaya, an enemy of that person.  A person, by indulging in grief, gladdens his foes and saddens his friends, while the person is himself weakened.  Therefore, it behoveth thee not to grieve.’  Thus addressed by Vasudeva, the unvanquished Vibhatsu of great learning then said these words of grave import:  ’Grave is the vow that I have made about the slaughter of Jayadratha.  Even tomorrow I shall slay that wicked wretch, that slayer of my son.  Even this hath been my vow, O Kesava!  For frustrating my vow, Jayadratha, protected by all the mighty car-warriors, will be kept in their rear by the Dhartarashtras.  Their force, number, consists, O Madhava, of remnant, after slaughter, of eleven Akshauhinis of troops, difficult of being vanquished.  Surrounded in battle as he will be by all of them and by all the great car-warriors, how shall he obtain a sight, O Krishna, of the wicked rule of the Sindhus?  My vow will not be accomplished, O Kesava!  How can a person like me live, having failed to accomplish his vow?  O hero, the non-accomplishment is evident of this (my vow which to me is a) source of great grief. (At this season of the year), I tell thee that the sun setteth quickly.’  The bird-bannered Krishna hearing this cause of Partha’s grief, touched water and sat with face turned to the east.  And then that hero, of eyes like lotus leaves, and possessed of great energy, said these words for the benefit of Pandu’s son who had resolved upon the slaughter of the ruler of the Sindhus, ’O Partha, there is an indestructible, supreme weapon of the name of Pasupata.  With it the god Maheswara slew in battle all the Daityas!  If thou rememberest it now, thou shalt then be able to slay Jayadratha tomorrow.